Paintings By Dijon: 2013-02-03

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Reflections 2013 Feature Show

I am Feature Artist at the Art Sales & Rental Gallery at The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, for the month of February. I've titled the show Reflections . I've always been fascinated by how water distorts objects reflected. I wanted to try and capture that in Acrylic. Below is my artist statement and works in my show. If interested please contact the gallery at (902) 424-3087 or email at artsalesandrental@gmail.com

Dijon Curley

REFLECTIONS

Artist Statement

I have always loved painting landscapes, from old barns on rolling hills to fishing sheds in evening light. Recently I have wanted to try an entirely new subject matter. For years I have been fascinated with water and how objects reflect on it; the shapes and movement almost take on an abstract quality.

Including water in my work has always intimidated me, until I remembered my parents, being artists themselves, telling me how water like everything else has structure and form. Keeping this in mind, instead of painting water to look like water, I have focused on painting the abstract shapes and how it reflects objects.

In this new series of works I wanted to concentrate on the movement of the reflections rather than the objects themselves. This allows the viewer to decide what they see and imagine or take them to a place that allows an emotional reflection.

(click on any image to open a new window showing a larger picture)

Water Lily is the largest work in the show. I loved painting this piece, it's my very first attempt at painting a flower. I loved how the reflection played in the water. This painting and the next one are the only two works to have structure in them. I then wanted to concentrate on the reflections alone. 40 x 30 Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

Morning Harbour Reflection is the last work with any structure in it. I loved the warm light on the bow of the boat. 30 x 30, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

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Lunenburg Reflections 2 is a second study of one I did a few months ago , Lunenburg Reflections This time I just wanted to rework the reflection in a second study. 30 x 30, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

Haligonian Reflection is the first of the works with no structure in it. This was fun to paint. Loosen up a bit, I enjoyed painting this one. 24 x 30 Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

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Reflection #1 captivated me with the greens and blues and the angle of the ripple. Fun painting this piece. 18 x 24, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

Reflection #2 really helped me loosen up when painting and wanted to capture that sharp yet soft, blurry shapes created . 18 x 24, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

Reflection #3 was that golden sun setting light that almost looks unreal. Completely different palette. 20 x 10, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

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Reflection # 4 was a nice study of another idea for a larger piece someday, love the swirls & red. 10 x 10, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas.

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Welcome To My Page

I'm a 41 year old artist living in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. I was born in England but spent my life on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. I have always had a creative spark due to both my parents being artists. Throughout my upbringing, I was exposed to alot of creative energy and was taught alot by both of them.

I have spent most of my life learning , reading, trying new avenues of art . I have always been inspired by many artists too (of course both of my parents are at the top of the list) including Van Gogh and Raoul Dufy.Both he and Van Gogh were masters of color and movement in my opinion. On the other side of the spectrum I have always admired Alphonse Mucha an artist who lived in Paris in late 19th and early 20th Century , he not only created extraordinary paintings but was a master designer, creating everything from poster art to jewellery.

I hope you enjoy my works and feel free to comment .

ARTIST STATEMENT

In every painting I produce there is always an emotional connection , whether a lonely tree in a golden field of wheat , rolling hills next to a red barn or a rugged coastline; each work coexists with an ever changing skyline. I strive to capture a moment of tranquillity in my work through colour and movement, while balancing between realism and expressionism.

My chosen medium is acrylic. Its versatility allows me to play with light and shadow. While exaggerating these elements , I continue to focus on producing works that are believable.

In today's fast paced world, with its emphasis on multitasking, we tend to be constantly moving. My intention is to give the viewer the opportunity to stop for a moment and recall a memory that is both nostalgic and inspirational, or to take them to a place that allows reflection.